Dec. 9, 2013

Detroit Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski. / Associated Press

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Posted by Brian Manzullo

Detroit Free Press Sports Writer

On paper, it looks like the 2014 Detroit Tigers are quite a bit worse than the 2013 version that lost in the American League Championship Series.

But fear not, says ESPN insider Jim Bowden. Even if the Tigers don’t make any other moves this off-season, they are improved despite losing the likes of first baseman Prince Fielder and pitcher Doug Fister in cost-cutting trades.

“The truth is that (GM Dave) Dombrowski probably "lost" both trades in terms of talent for talent, but at the same time made his team better,” Bowden writes.

It looked as if Dombrowski was slashing payroll this off-season after 1) he traded Fielder and $30 million to the Texas Rangers for second baseman Ian Kinsler, and 2) he traded Fister to the Washington Nationals for infielder Steve Lombardozzi and lefties Robbie Ray and Ian Krol.

But there were other big reasons for Dombrowski to make those moves, Bowden argues.

“First, he significantly improved his infield defense,” Bowden writes. “Miguel Cabrera will move from third to first base, where he will go from being a liability to a defensive upgrade over Fielder. Kinsler is at least as good with the glove as Omar Infante, and Nick Castellanos will break in at third base, his natural position, where he is better with the leather than Cabrera.

“Fister will be replaced in the rotation by Drew Smyly, who has the stuff to match Fister’s performance at a lower salary, and Krol can replace Smyly in the pen.”

Furthermore, the Tigers were able to sign closer Joe Nathan to a 2-year, $20-million deal and could be in line to sign an outfielder such as Shin-Soo Choo, though Dombrowski previously indicated the team was done signing big-name players this off-season.

“And if you don’t believe me that you can lose a trade but improve at the same time, look at the 2013 Red Sox,” Bowden writes. “They “lost” their 2012 blockbuster with the Dodgers from a talent perspective, but the money they saved was crucial to building a World Series winner. I see some parallels here.”

While the five players the Red Sox received in return made little impact on the 2013 team, the trade allowed the Sox to sign lesser free agents such as Shane Victorino, Mike Napoli and Jonny Gomes, all of whom contributed greatly in winning the World Series.